This wine — the singed edges on the label are meant to evoke the ancient arson — doesn’t so much evoke fire as it does easy drinking. Merlot’s got a bad rap, but here it has a bit of peppery kick to notch up its plummy core a bit. I wouldn’t have even guessed merlot was the primary component on the blend if I hadn’t cheated and looked it up first. Very soft and simple but with a hint of tobacco and chocolate, it’s a fine little table wine that comes at a perfectly affordable price.